Rivet



Patented Feb. L1.1., 1936 PATENT oFFicE i RIVET Ralph Miller, Detroit, Mich., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Huxon Holding Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michig'an Application AugustZS,

1'7 claims.

The invention relates to devices for securing structural elements together and it has particular relation to rivets for connecting a plurality of metal plates or the like. y

In. certain respects, the invention constitutes an improvement over that embodied in the copending application for patent of Louis C. Huck relating to rivets, filed June 17, 1931, the serial number of which is 545,004.

According to the copending application for patent, a tubular female rivet member is provided, which comprises a cylindrical body substantially uniform in diameter throughout its. length, having an enlarged rivet head at one end thereof. An elongated shank or male member, preferably adapted to Ahave a press lit in, the opening in the female member and having a head -at one end substantially equal .in diameter to the outer diameter of the bodyis inserted in the oning in the female member from that end opposite the rivet head, until the head on the shank engages this end of the female member. The assembly then is inserted through aligned openings 4in .a plurality of plates to be connected by the rivet, until the head on the rivet engages the outer side of the plate adjacent thereto. Then the rivet head yis maintained against the plate, while the end of thegshank, projecting outwardly beyond the yrivet head, is pulled through the latter by suitable apparatus provided for this purpose, the reactionary forces of the apparatus maintaining the headagainst the plate. This operation causes the head on the shankv to buckle the walls of the body between such head and the adjacent plate, and

against the latter aroundthe opening therein.

yThe rivet then cannotbe removed vbecause tha rivet head prevents its movement through the openings in the plate in one direction, while the buckled body prevents movement of the rivet in the other direction.

The present invention relates vvparticularly lto V various forms of female members which may be utilized in rivets of the above mentioned general character,` and also to improvements in Shanks for buckling the body of the female member.

'I'he principal objects of the invention are to provide a rivet of the above mentioned character, in which the bodyportion of the female member is so constructed that it will buckle in a more satisfactory manner when a pulling force is imparted to the shank projecting therethrough; to provide a rivet in which that portion of the body of the female member adapted to be buckled, lhas less resistance to suchy deformation than other 1931, semina. 559,826

portions of theA body; to provide a rivet in which the body of the female member is so constructed that buckling. thereof will initially occur in a predetermined region; to provide a. rivet in which the body of the female member, longitudinally of its length, has a varying'resistance to buckling, therebygoverning deformation thereof in a predetermined andprogressive manner; to provide a rivet in which the head on the malemember andthe end of the body k it engages, are so con- 10 structed that buckling .of the body will be facilitated, and to provide a rivet of the above mentioned character which is so constructed that the head on the shank or male member will be prevented from' shearingoff during the setting 15 of the rivet.

For a better understanding of the invention reference may be had to the accompanying drawing forming a part of the specification, wherein:

Figure lillustrates a rivet constructed accord- 20 ingto one form of the invention, in which the body of the female member ladapted to-be buckled during the riveting. operation, has a portion of uniform, reduced diameter;

Figure 2' illustrates the .manner in which the 25 t rivet shown by Figure 1 is utilized for connecting a. pair of plates; f

Figures 3v and 4 illustrate a different form of `female member and the manner in which 'itV buckles, wherein the buckling Aportion gradually 30 tapers or is reduced in outside diameter toward the end of the body oppositel the rivet head;

Figures 5 and 6 illustrate a femalememberand the manner in which it buckles, wherein -the buckling part of the body is'. gradually reduced 35 indiameter toward therivet head;

Figures 7 and 8 illustrate a female member and the manner in which it buckles, wherein the buckling part of the member has an outer surfaeeconcaved in an axial direction; 40 .Figure 9 illustrates a female member. similar to that shown byFig.' 1,. but wherein the inner surface of the buckling part ofthe body has a larger'diameter than the remaining lpart of the opening in the body; 45

Figure 41D illustrates a female memberv similar to that shown by Fig. 3but wherein theinner peripheralsurface ofthe buckling portion of the` body increases in diameter toward the end of the latter opposite the rivet head;

Figure 1 1 illustrates a female member similar to .that shownbyy Fig. -5, butwherein the inner peripheral surface of the buckling partei the body gradually increases in diameter toward the rivet head;

Figure 12 illustrates a female member in which the buckling portion of the body has its inner peripheral surface concaved longitudinally;

Figure 13 illustrates a rivet, in which the body of the female member is provided with a small bevel at its end opposite the rivet head, and the head on the male member is undercut to cooperate with the bevel on the female member;

Figure 14 illustrates the manner in which the rivet shown by Fig. 13 is applied to a pair of plates;

Figure 15 is a fragmentary and enlarged crosssectional view, illustrating the relation between the head of the male member and the end of the female 'member shown by Figure 13.

In the construction shown by Fig. 1, the female member is indicated at IU, and comprises a cylindrical body II, having a rivet head I2 at one end. Both of these parts of the female member are provided with a longitudinally extending opening I3 of uniform diameter, which receives a male m'ernber I4, the diameter of which is substantially equal to that of the opening. A part of the body I I indicated at II', which is adjacent the rivet head I2, is of such diameter that it can be inserted in an opening I shown by Fig. 2, formed in plates I6 and I1 to be riveted. The opposite end portion of the body `II indicated at I8, is of reduced, uniform diameten'except for an end portion I9 at the extreme outer end which is substantially equal in diameter to that of the portion II. The male member is provided with a rounded head 20 engaging this end of the body and suchhead is 'of such diameter that it will pass through the opening I5 in the plates. When the parts are assembled asshown by Fig. 1, an end of the male member projects beyondthe outer side of the rivet head I2, and the member has a press fit in the opening I3.

In applying the rivet to the plates I6 and I1, the assembly shown by Fig. 1 is inserted through the opening I5 in the plates, from the rivet head or outer side of plate I6 as shown by Fig. 2, until the rivet head abuts the outer surface of the latter plate. Then by meansl of suitable apparatus, the head is maintained against the plate IE, 'and the male member I4 is pulled through the female member toward the outer side of this plate. Initially during this movement of the male member, it may decrease slightly in'diameter which will permit its movement through the female member without diiculty, and then the headv 20 on the male member will causethe portion I8 of the body to expand and buckle. During the final stages of the riveting operation, the end of portion II of the female member projecting beyond the outer surface of plate I1, also will be bent outwardly against the plate I1, as indicated at 2|. When the rivet is finally applied, the parts on the outer surface of plate I1 assume relative positions as shown by Fig. 2. When tension on the male member is released, it again increases in diameter until it has a press fit in the open-4 ing I5 in the female member, thereby positively sealing the opening against water and the like. Finally, that end of the male member projecting beyond the rivet head I2 is severed to provide a smooth rivet head surface. r Y

As shown, the portion I I' of the female member is longer than thethickness of both plates, and as stated above, the endof the portion will finally buckle as indicated at 2l. Initially, the portion I8, which is thinner than portion II', will buckle first and then upon final movement of the male member, the end portionr I I will buckle.

buckle directly against them.

The head 20 on the male member preferably is undercut as illustrated in the previously men-` tioned application for patent, although-it may be made without undercutting if this is desired.

In the construction shown by Figures 3 and 4, illustrating only the femaleV part of the rivet, the end portion of the body adapted to'be buckled, has an outer surface 22 which gradually decreases in outside diameter toward the end of the body opposite the rivet head I2. VIn this construction similarly to thatshown by Fig. 1, the extreme end of the body correspondsin dimensions to the part II of the body, as indicated at 23, this portion engaging the head 20 on theA male member during the riveting operation. 'I'he manner in whichv the gradually tapering portion` 22 buckles during the riveting operation is shown by Fig. 4, it being understood that the body as shown, is only partially buckled. i

In Fig. 5, the body is provided with a portion 24, the outer surface of which gradually decreases in outside diameter from the outer end of the body. toward the rivet head I2. When a rivet of this character is applied, the tapering portion 2| initially buckles in -substantially the manner shown by Fig. 6.

According to Fig. 7, the outer end of the body has a concaved peripheral surface indicated at 25 and when this part of the body is buckled, it deforms in the manner shown by Figl. According to Fig. 9, the outer end of the body has its inner surface enlarged in diameter as indicated at 26 and this surface ot increased diameter extends to a point near the end of the body. The extreme end portion of the body has its inner peripheral surface indicated ,at 21 substantially equal in diameter-to the diameter of the inner surface of the body part II' adjacent the rivet head. According to Fig. 10, the outer end of the body has an lrmer peripheral surface which gradually increases in diameter away from the rivet head, as indicated at-28 and the extreme outer end of the body `corresponds in dimensions to those of the body adjacent theA rivet head as indicated at 29.

Accordingfto Fig. 11, the outer end of the body has its inner surface indicated at 30, gradually increasing in diameter toward the rivet head I2 to an intermediate point in the body.v This construction is similar to thatshown by Fig. 5, ex`

cept that the inner surface of this part of the body increases in diameter while in Fig. 5, this part of the body has its outer-'surface decreasing in diameter toward the rivet head. According to Fig. 12, the outer end of the body has its inner peripheral surface concave character as indicated at 3|. This-construction is similar to that shown by Fig. '1 except that the inner surface is concave, while -in Fig. 7 the outer surface is concave. 1

In the'constructions shown by Figs. 13, 14, and 15, the shank I4 has an annular groove 39' adjacent the head 20, and the head is'provided with an undercut annular flangel extending over the groove, the outer portion of which engages a short beveled edge 38 on the end ofthe body I I. vIt will be noted that an annular recess, as indicated at 39, ls provided bythe flange 31, the end of the body inwardly of the bevel 38, and the groove 30. When the rivet is applied in the manner shown by Fig. 16 the bevelled portion 38 of the body will move along the inclined surface of undercut portion 31 on the shank head 20, vand move into the recess 39 and groove 39. This locks the male member to the end of 'thebody andfacilitates buckling the latter.' During' such buckling operation, 'theundercut portion 31 is deflected outwardly as shown by Fig. 14, and prethrough the female member.

In the constructions shown by Figs. 3 to 12 inclusive, it is to be understood, as stated with respect to Figs. land 2, that the body portion Il' may be equal in lengthto or longer than the thickness of the plates, if'this should be found desirable. In all of the constructions, the larger portion at the outer end` of the female member, as for example, that indicated at I 8 in Fig. 1, is preferred because it gives the male member head a greater and stronger -region to work against, and prevents movement lof the male member through the rivet.

vents the head. from shearing and passing Rivets suchA as those described and illustrated rare extremely efficient for maintaining structural elements connected, and permitting application of the rivets from one side of the structure. Constructing the female members in such manner that buckling thereof against the vinner.side of the structure riveted is facilitated, enables apply-v As stated inthe pending application for patent, y

preferablythe female member is constructedof metal relatively ductile as compared to the metal in the male member and as a particular example of the metals which may be used, the female member may be constructed of aluminum, while the male member may be constructed of duralumin.

member of metal less subject to corrosive and electrolytic action at slight sacrifice in strength.

'I'he .male member being better protected, may

'as aluminum, a desirable metal combination.is;k

obtained as the male member will considerably increase thestrength of the rivet while the female member will prevent .undesirable corrosion.

As another combination of metals which maybe used, the female member may be constructed of 1010 steel, and the male member of 1045 steel, S. A. E. specifications. 'I'he latter-member then may be heat treated for greater strength. kIt is to be understood that the diameter-of thezshank ofthe male member and the Wall thickness of It isalso desirable to construct the' female This is desirable because the :shank andrbody portion I0 ofthe female member may be `predetermined to insure desired deform- 10 ing of r the female member vbefore that of the shank, the latter resultmay be obtained or modified by using metals having different strengths.` vAlthough certain forms of the invention have been described and illustrated in detail, itshould 15 ybe apparent to those skilled in the yart that various modifications maybe made lwithout departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Ijclaim: n

y 1. A rivet comprlsinga tubular ybody having a 20 continuouslyannular'wall, said wall havinga portion intermediateits ends progressively varyying in, thickness, and portions at yopposite sides Y of' thefirst portion' which 1are substantially of equal thickness. 25

2,. In combination, a rivetV member having a tubular bodyportion having a. continuously annular wall adapted to project through openings in a structure to be riveted, a tubular portion having a continuously annularwall of less radial wall 30 thickness adapted to project at one side of the structure and .which therminates in aportion havingincreased resistance to radial expansion, and means engaging the last portion for applying axially compressive forces toward the structure, 35 to outwardly bulb the tubular portion of lesser wall thickness. v -3. In combination, a rivet member having a body portion adapted to project through openings in a structure to'bev riveted, a tubular portion hav- 40 ing a continuously annular walladapted to project beyond one side of the structure, means integral withthe free end of the rlatter. portion increasing the resistance of such end to radial expansion,1and means engaging such end of the A4s tubular portion for applying axial forces toward the structure, to outwardly bulb the tubular portion between the reinforced end. and `the structure. l

4. In combination, va rivet memberhaving assobody portion adapted to-projectsthroughopeningsA in a. structure tobe riveted, atubular portion havving acontinuously annular wall adapted to project from one'side of the structure, a member engaging the outer end of they latter portion for 55 applying axial forces thereto to bulb the tubular portion intoan annular head, and means form- -ing a part of the tubular portion for predetermin- Ying the point where bulbing of the wall is initiated.

v5. In combination, a rivet member having a 60 body portion adapted to project through openings in a structure to be riveted,` a tubular portion having a continuously annular wall vadapted to project from one side of the structure, a member engaging the outer endv of the latter vportion for 65 applying axial forces thereto to bulb'the Atubular portion into an annular head, and means forming a part of the tubular portion forl predetermining the point where bulbing of the wall is initiated, said last vmentioned means comprising a 70 weakerportion ofthe tubular wall located intermediate its` ends. 1 1

6. Inv combination, a rivet member having a body portion adapted to project through openings in a structure `to be riveted, a tubular portion 75 having a continuously annular wall adapted to project from one side of the structure, a member engaging the outer endof the latter portion for applying axial forces thereto to bulb the tubular portion into an annular head, and means comprising parts of the tubular portion varying in resistance to bulbing, for governing the character of the bulbing action.

7'. In combination, a tubular rivet member adapted to be inserted and set from one side of a structure and having a body portionadapted to project through openings in the structure', a tubular portion having va continuously annular wall adapted to project from that side of the structure oppositethe insertion side, a mem'gjr extending through and engaging the outer end of the latter portion'or' the tubular member for` applying axial forces thereto to bulb the tubular portion when the last mentioned member is pulled from the insertion side and the end of the tubular member at the same side of the,

struct-ureis held by the reactionary force of the pull, and an annular end sector at the free end of the tubular portion having increased resistance to bursting.

8.'In combination, a. structure having openings, a rivet comprising a tubular member extending through the structure and beyond one side thereof, means for buibing such projecting portion including means for effecting location of the line of greatest diameter of buibing, nearer to the structure than to the end of the bulbed portion remote with respect to the structure.

9. A rivet comprising a'tubular body having a head at one end and a continuously annular wall adapted to be bulbed into an annular head by axial forces applied to opposite ends of the body, and a shank in the body having a head engaging the end of the body oppositev the head thereon, a wall portion of the body intermediate the ends of the latter being relatively thin.

1G. A rivet comprising a tubular body having a continuously annular Wall adapted to be bulbed into an annular head dened by folded wall portions, said wall having a portion intermediate its ends progressively varying in thickness and portions at opposite sides of the Lfirst portion which are of greater thickness than the intermediate portion.

11. In combination, a rivet member having a tubular body portion adapted to project through openings in a structure to be riveted, a tubular portion defined by a continuously' annular wall adapted too project at one side of the structure and to be bulbed into an annular head, the thickness of said portion to be bulbed being generally less than the thickness of the portion adapted to project through the structural openings, and means engaging the portion to be bulbed for applying axially compressive forces toward the structure so as to bulb such portion into an annular head.

l2.. A rivet comprising a tubular member and a pin extending partially therethrough, said tubular member having a groove on its inner periphery, the rivet being adapted to be set by moving the pin through the tubular member so as to form a head on one end of the tubular member.

13. A rivet comprising a tubular body having a portion adapted to be disposed in openings in a structure to be riveted and a continuously annular portion at one end generally of larger internal diameter adapted to project beyond one side of the structur a pin projecting through adjacent said end.

the tubular member and beyond the other end of the tubular member, and means on the pin foi` applying axial forces against the outer end of said second portion when the opposite end of the pin is pulled and the same or adjacent end of the tubular member is held substantially against movement with the pin, so as to cause said`secondr tubular portion to bulb into an annular folded wall head.

14.1A rivet comprising a tubular body having a portiorifdapd to be disposedin openings in a structure to be riveted, a continuously annular portion at one end adapted to project beyond one side of the lstructure and to be expanded into an annular head by axial forces, and a head adapted toengage the opposite side of the structure, a pinpa'sslng through the structure and projecting beyond said last mentioned head, means on the pin at its opposite end for applying axial forces to the outer end of said projecting tubular portion, and means on the outer end'of the latter increasing its resistance to outward expansion so as to promote initial expansion inwardly of the outer end of said portion.

15.y A rivetcomprising a tubular body having a portion adapted to be disposed in. openings in a structure to be riveted and a continuously annular portion at one end adapted to project beyond one side of the structure to be riveted and to be expanded into an annular head by axial forces, a pin -passing through'the structure and beyond the opposite end of the tubular body, means on the pin for applying axial forces tothe outer end of the second tubularv portion of the body when the opposite end is pulled and the adjacent end of the body is substantially held against movement with the pin, and means inherent in the outer end of the second tubular portion increasing its resistance to outward .expansion so as to promote initial expansion of said portion inwardly of said outer 'end thereof.

16. An article of manufacture comprising a tubular rivet member adapted to project through openings in a structure to be riveted and having a portion adapted to project beyond one side of the structure and to be bulbed into an annular head by applying opposed axial forces to the ends thereof, the wall of said portion of the member being continuously annular, means comprising an annular integralend portion of increased wall thickness for increasing the bursting strength and substantially preventing expansion of the free end of ,said projecting portion of the member when the bulbed head is to be formed, a pin extending through the member, and means on the pin for applying axial forces to such end of the member when the pin is pulled relative to the latter.

17. An article of manufacture comprising a rivet member adapted to project through openings in a structure to be riveted and having a portion adapted to project beyond one side of the structure and to be bulbed into an annular head by applying opposed axial forces to the ends thereof said portion being tubular and the wall thereof being continuously annular, and means inherent in the free end of the projecting portion increasing its bursting strength and substantially preventing expansion of said end when said portion is to be bulbed, said means comprising anannular end section of substantially the same outer diameter as that of the portion to be bulbed but of smaller inner diameter than thatol.` the portion RALPH A. MILLER'. 

